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Non-urban water meters

Non-urban water meters are meters that measure the water taken in non-urban areas for irrigation, environmental watering and stock and domestic use.

They allow water users and water corporations to accurately measure how much water is taken and water corporations to account for the distribution and use of water. They also play a vital role in monitoring compliance with water entitlements.

Non-urban meters do not include stream gauging stations, groundwater infrastructure and urban supply and distribution systems.

Telemetry

Telemetry is the electronic transmission of usage that is being recorded through a meter. Telemetry devices can be fitted to non-urban meters to provide usage data in real time which can be used to monitor water use.

Manual meter reading is used where:

  • costs of telemetry outweigh benefits
  • telemetry is not possible.

Responsibility for non-urban meters in Victoria

In Victoria, water corporations with rural customers own, maintain and read meters. Water corporations are responsible for making decisions about whether a meter is needed and for selecting metering and telemetry devices.

Victoria’s Non-urban Water Metering Policy guides water corporations in making these decisions.

Victoria’s six rural water corporations

Map showing Victorian rural water corporation boundaries, waterways, irrigation areas/districts and towns.Victoria’s six rural water corporations are Coliban Water, Southern Rural Water, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water, Goulburn-Murray Water, Lower Murray Water and Melbourne Water
Victoria’s 6 rural water corporations own, maintain and read meters within their jurisdictions.
Victoria’s six rural water corporations

Map showing Victorian rural water corporation boundaries, waterways, irrigation areas/districts and towns. Victoria’s 6 rural water corporations:

Coliban Water

Southern Rural Water

Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water

Goulburn-Murray Water

Lower Murray Water

Melbourne Water

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Victoria’s policy for non-urban water metering

Victoria’s policy on non-urban water metering applies to all water corporations with rural customers. The purpose of the policy is to provide assurance that:

  • water taken under entitlements is accurately and comprehensively metered
  • risks to water resources and the relative costs and benefits of metering are considered.

Non-urban water metering policy

Victoria’s non-urban metering policy was updated in 2024 to align with the Metrological Assurance Framework 2 (MAF2), which describes the nationally consistent compliance management approach for non-urban water meters in Australia.

Close-up of a finger pointing at the screen of a metal water meter with a river in the background.
Water user manually reads a non-urban water meter in Myall, northern Victoria.
Source: Darryl Whitaker

Metering action plans

The Policy sets requirements for water corporations with rural customers to prepare and maintain metering action plans. All plans must:

  • identify their current meter fleet profile
  • specify their processes to select, inspect, validate, maintain and replace meters
  • outline improvement actions and future investment in metering and telemetry.

Metering action plans are available on rural water corporation’s websites.

Non-urban water metering policy details

New meters

Meters that conform with AS4747 must be used for all:

  • new metered sites
  • upgraded metered sites.

Existing meters

Meters on existing sites should be replaced:

  • by 2025 if they do not comply with a contemporary standard or conform with AS4747
  • at the end of their operational life if they comply with a contemporary standard or conform with AS4747.

Telemetry installation

Metered water take must be telemetered by June 2025. Water corporations will assess the full range of costs and benefits of installing telemetry to meters, including benefits of stronger compliance.

Water corporations may retain manual meter reading where telemetry is not viable. For example, in valleys with poor reception. Alternative technology can be applied in these situations.

Water corporations can vary meter requirements in certain circumstances

A water corporation can vary the metering rule where:

  • risks are manageable
  • costs outweigh benefits
  • the site requires the application of hydrometric monitoring standards.

Water corporations must meet meter reading requirements

Water corporations must read meters on operational service points:

  • at least once a year for low volume or low-risk customers
  • at least twice a year for surface water winter-fill licences
  • frequently for high-risk meters.

Contact your local water corporation if you want to learn more about water metering.

Metering policy implementation reporting

Victoria publishes an annual non-urban metering implementation report on metering reform. These reports meet Victoria’s continuing obligation to monitor and report on Victoria’s progress in implementing non-urban water metering. See for non-urban water metering reports more information.

Page last updated: 31/01/25